Organic solid state chemistry-some perspectives

Abstract

Several strategies towards an understanding of the crystal chemistry of organic solids have been reviewed. The crystal structures of most organic compounds are the result of optimisation of rather weak intermolecular forces and this is illustrated for some alkoxy and chloro-aromatic compounds. Co-crystallisation of different organic molecules is the logical outcome of such methods of "crystal engineering". In the resulting complexes, the forces between the component molecules can vary in magnitude and directionality and three distinct situations are described. The role of packing calculations as an alternative method for the structure determination of a reactive organic solid is described. Thermal reactions are exemplified by a case of solid state co-operative tautomerism and one of a base-catalysed interlamellar dehydration in a layered structure.